news and events
February 2012
- New volunteering role – We are currently looking for volunteer ‘activity leaders’ who are able to lead small group of service users in a practical activity (e.g. a painting and decorating taster session, a walking tour, a craft session, etc). Find out more about volunteering at Back on Track…
- Training for frontline workers – During Feb-April 2012, we have short courses running in Working with ex-offenders, Supporting people into employment, Mental health awareness, Introduction to benefit changes, and Introduction to mentoring. Find out more about training…
January 2012
- New training programmes in catering and retail – We are piloting two new training programmes ‘Introduction to Catering and Hospitality’ and ‘Introduction to Retail and Customer Service’ starting in early January. Find out more about training programmes…
October 2011
- European Commissioner visit – Back on Track was delighted to host a visit on 20 October 2011 from Laszlo Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion for Europe, who came to see Back on Track as an example of good practice in helping ex-offenders move towards employment. Laszlo Andor’s visit…
September 2011
- Changes Ahead- We are re-starting our popular ‘Changes Ahead’ project, providing information and support regarding changes to sickness benefits, for Manchester residents facing mental health problems. Find out about our Changes Ahead project…
- New courses – We are now taking enrolments for courses to start in September, for new and returning students. Have a look at what’s on…
August 2011
- Tuesday drop-in – We have a drop-in session every Tuesday from 1-3pm – for anyone interested in Back on Track.
- Volunteer supervisors needed- We are currently recruiting for this voluntary role – you need to be available a few hours a week on weekday daytime. Find out more about volunteering at Back on Track…
July 2011
- End-of-year exhibition – Fri 15 July Music! Poetry! Photography! Creative Writing! Cookery! Art! Tea & Cake! Over 60 people came to our end-of-year exhbition to help celebrate our service users’ achievements from the past year. We also launched our annual review…
June 2011
- Offices to rent. Several self-contained offices available in Manchester City Centre, ranging from 131 sq ft to 650 sq feet, in a building shared with nine other charities. Offices to rent
May 2011
- Open afternoon – Tue 17 May 2011 – To celebrate Adult Learners’ Week, we are holding a special open afternoon (Tue 17 May 1pm-3pm) for anyone who would like to visit our education centre.
- Changes at Back on Track – Due to funding cuts, we are changing the way we offer courses at our education centre. Find out more about changes at Back on Track…
Apr 2011
- ‘Volunteering with a Criminal Record’ - We launched this new booklet in April 2011, which shares success stories from Greater Manchester as well as tips and contacts for the journey into volunteering. You can download a copy of the booklet…
Mar 2011
- New volunteer application process - Back on Track has recently changed our application process for people who want to volunteer with us…
- ‘Volunteering into Work’ event - Wed 23 March 1pm-4pm at Victoria Park probation office, Laindon Road. Over 60 probation clients came along to this volunteer fair, which was an opportunity to find out about volunteering in the local community. Find our more about the event…
Feb 2011
- New training courses announced – Back on Track will be running low-cost courses in Mental Health Awareness, Mentoring, Working with Ex-offenders, and Adult Literacy Awareness. See our training page for more…
Jan 2011
- ‘Changes Ahead’ – We recently set up a new project called ‘Changes Ahead’, to provide support and peer mentoring to Manchester residents currently on sickness benefits due to mental health problems, who will be facing changes to their benefits during 2011. Find out more about ‘Changes Ahead’…
Dec 2010
- January enrolment - As well as our weekly ‘Tuesday drop-in’ for new service users (every Tuesday 1-3pm), we have a special January open afternoon on Thu 6 January from 1-3pm.
- Christmas closure – Back on Track will be closed from 24 Dec 2010 to 3 Jan 2011, with courses re-starting on 10 Jan 2011. Merry Christmas everyone!
Nov 2010
- ‘Volunteering Fridays’ are an opportunity for Back on Track students to get some immmediate work experience without having to go through an application process.
Oct 2010
- ‘Working with ex-offenders’ training - This half day course has proved very popular, with all our 2010 dates now fully booked.
Sept 2010
- Drop-in session every Tuesday
Back on Track has recently starting running a ‘drop-in’ open session every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm-3pm. Workers from other agencies are welcome to drop in to look around, or to bring service users along to find out more.
July 2010
- On July 15th we held a Summer fete at our education centre which coincided with our AGM … The event gave us a chance to showcase the fantastic work of Back on Track students.
- Mentoring quality mark - Back on Track has just been awarded the ‘Approved Provider Standard’, the national quality mark for mentoring schemes. Click to find out more…
- ‘At your own pace’ New research into barriers to education and employment. Visit our publications page to download a copy.
June 2010
- Back on Track Oscars
This event in May 2010 was held to mark Adult Learners’ week, and was a celebration of learners’ achievement during Adult Learners’ Week. Fun, laughter, tactical voting, and outfits on the red carpet!
May 2010
- Quality seal of approval
Back on Track recently received the matrix quality mark – the national accredited standard for careers guidance. Find out more about the matrix award….
- My life, my words
This 6 month project worked with over 60 recently homeless people to learn how to make a short film. This project was funded by the Transformation Fund (part of the Learning Revolution). Take a look at some of the films.
April 2010
- New Directory
Rebuilding Lives is an inter-agency project to promote and facilitate meaningful activities within homelessness provision in Manchester. The project has recently produced an up to date directory of activities in Manchester. Download the latest edition of the Rebuilding Lives Directory 2010.